How is this different from Pilates?

Pilates is a form of exercise that was developed in the early 1900s by Joseph Pilates, a German born martial artist and circus acrobat.  Working as a nurse in WWI, he used springs mounted to hospital beds to help bedridden soldiers exercise.  Using these techniques as a foundation, he moved to the US and created an exercise system that was popularized by professional dancers in NYC..

As the practice became more mainstream through the latter part of the 20th century, it maintained it’s WWI roots with a heavy reliance on spring-loaded apparatus’, and maintained its dance roots with flexibility components woven into its strengthening exercises.

Modern versions of Pilates tends to focus on abdominal and low back strengthening, and still usually uses equipment loaded with springs, bands and pulleys (“Reformers” and “Mega-formers”).  Though many people have seen improvements in their strength and flexibility, and/or reductions in pain through Pilates practice, current interpretations are still built on the foundation of one man’s trial-and-error version of how things should work.

Yoga and Pilates as movement practices can have many benefits, and has helped many people around the world improve their health.  However, neither was explicitly designed from scientific research to improve your joint health, control and range of motion.